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ALPAYTAC FOOD & BEVERAGE DIVISION HEAD
MELANIE YOUNG
Melanie Young has over 25 years of experience working in the food, beverage and hospitality industries. Her work includes strategic direction for several notable programs within the industry such as The James Beard Awards, Windows of Hope, New York Restaurant Week, and A Second Helping of Life.
For more than a decade, Melanie has lead top-tier marketing and communications campaigns for food and wine brands and culinary regions of Italy, Spain and France. Some of her latest work with French Beaujolais brand, Georges Duboeuf, targets Millennial wine consumers with events highlighting the pairing of wine and food. Melanie’s campaign with the brand has led to successful media coverage in key demographics and top-tier media outlets. Melanie also serves as President of Les Dames d’Escoffier New York, an organization of leading women in food, fine beverage and hospitality.
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Huma Gruaz / President/CEO
Huma Gruaz boasts over 15 years of public relations and business experience. As the CEO of Alpaytac Marketing Communications/Public Relations, Huma was named 2010 Brand Marketer of the Year by PR News and recently has been nominated for the 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award by PR Daily and also selected as 2011 PR Professional of the Year Honoree by PR News.
During her career, Huma has consulted on strategic marketing and PR initiatives with major worldwide corporations and multi-national brands in the food industry such as Spice Islands and worked with Unilever’s food division. Additionally, her media relations experience has resulted in reoccurring placements for clients in top-tier U.S. media such as TIME, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, USA Today, Parade, CNN, CNBC, The TODAY Show and Good Morning America.
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Michelle Mekky - Vice President/Director of Chicago Office
Michelle Mekky has over 17 years experience as both a media veteran and public relations executive. She works with the Executive Team to lead strategy and media relations on Alpaytac accounts. Michelle previously served as President of Chicago-based Empower Public Relations, a full-service firm with a wide roster of clients including landmark hotels, famous restaurants, retail establishments and lifestyle and relationship experts. Michelle is recognized for top tier media placements on The TODAY Show, The New York Times, Travel & Leisure, Fox Business Network, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, CNN, NBC, FOX, ABC and many other media outlets.
In addition to launching top-tier brand campaigns, Mekky has lent her strategic direction to revitalize brands and manage successful restaurant and bar grand openings. Michelle’s insider media skills have led her in media placements in The TODAY Show, The New York Times, The Oprah Winfrey Show, Travel + Leisure, Fox Business Network, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Magazine, Food & Wine, CNN, NBC, FOX, ABC, WGN, CBS and many more. Michelle’s has produced numerous chef segments and cooking demonstrations working with famous chefs such as Wolfgang Puck, Emeril Lagasse, Tyler Florence, Mario Batali and Jimmy Bannos.
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